Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 5.djvu/479

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NATIONAL REWARDS.

471

observation, not perishable by time, nor confined to any certain place; properties not to be found in books, statues, pictures, buildings, or any other monuments of illustrious actions^[1]."

↑ It has been ingeniously proposed, to supply the defect of English medals, by collections of engraved portraits, which, however useful in themselves, have lain under the same prejudices with ancient coins, and have been generally esteemed as little more than empty amusements. For want of regularity, the poetaster frequently takes place of the poet, and the pedant of the man of genius: John Ogilby is exalted above Mr. Dryden, and Alexander Ross (the continuator of Raleigh's History) has the precedence of sir Walter, because engraved by a better hand. Mr. Evelyn, in his "Numismata," has recommended such a collection. Granger.

END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.

H. Baldwin and Son. Printers, New Bridge-street, London.

[1] It has been ingeniously proposed, to supply the defect of English medals, by collections of engraved portraits, which, however useful in themselves, have lain under the same prejudices with ancient coins, and have been generally esteemed as little more than empty amusements. For want of regularity, the poetaster frequently takes place of the poet, and the pedant of the man of genius: John Ogilby is exalted above Mr. Dryden, and Alexander Ross (the continuator of Raleigh's History) has the precedence of sir Walter, because engraved by a better hand. Mr. Evelyn, in his "Numismata," has recommended such a collection. Granger.

[1]